It's been known for months that the Steppenwolf ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro was directing a new adaptation of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" with James Franco on Broadway this spring; tickets even were auctioned off at the Steppenwolf gala.

But on Tuesday, the news became official and the cast set: Shapiro's production of a title frequently associated with Steppenwolf will begin performances at the Longacre Theatre on March 19. Joining Franco, who is playing George, will be Chris O'Dowd in the role of Lennie.

Shapiro is having a busy year in New York. Currently at the Lincoln Center is her production of the new Bruce Norris drama, "Domesticated."